Welcome to 5 BY 5, the alpha | BRAVO blog.

In radio jargon, the term “five by five” affirms that a radioed transmission was received loud and clear. Each was rated 1 to 5 with the first for clearness, and the second for loudness. Whether we’re writing social media ads, managing a brand’s social media presence, or crafting a full-funnel social media strategy, our mission is to ensure that every message is received loud and clear. The 5 BY 5 blog covers insights, news, tips, and trends in social media marketing strategy, management, copywriting and design. Check in on the 5th of each month and join us on LinkedIn + Instagram for of-the-minute updates!

ambidextrous drawing
Posted by Beth Newton | 05 May 2021| Blog
Ambidextrous Marketing at the Digital Edge

In just a few short months, Covid-19 brought about changes that would have taken several more years to accomplish under normal circumstances. In fact, according to a McKinsey survey, companies have accelerated their share of digital products by an incredible seven years. While these leaps in technology will only continue, not everyone is as excited...

solar system circling heart
Posted by Beth Newton | 05 February 2021| Blog
For the Love of Social

Updated November 7, 2023 In 2011, Cox media group posted a job opening for a Social Monetization Manager. The ad sought a professional with a “blend of digital media savvy, social media knowledge, and first-hand sales experience.” Someone who would “work across the entire organization to support both local sales teams and corporate strategy work."...

Posted by Beth Newton | 07 January 2021| Blog
6 Common Social Media Mistakes + Simple Tweaks for Stronger ROI

A strong brand presence on social media can have a direct impact on your company’s bottom line. Consider that:[1]           91% of consumers visit a brand’s website when they follow them on social.           89% buy from the brand           85% recommend the brand...

crystal ball with FB and TW logos and data graph
Posted by Beth Newton | 05 November 2020| Blog
The 4 P(rediction)’s of Marketing for 2021

For marketers, 2020 was the year of the pivot. From strategies to objectives and brand messaging to social media ads, brands all over the world were hitting the pause button and rethinking the what, when, where, why and how of every campaign. E-commerce sites exploded, hundreds of live events (including the Summer Olympics) were cancelled,...

man's arm above crowd holding sign "We're Here. Now What?"
Posted by Beth Newton | 05 October 2020| Blog
Permission to Interrupt (aka The Great Unfollowing of 2020)

You probably hear people talking about it, you may see them doing it, you might even start doing it yourself if you haven't already: Unfollowing. Whether it’s political or personal in nature, people are narrowing down their follower and friend lists on social media. Brands aren’t immune. Consumers can unfollow a brand’s social profile faster...

6 social media marketer profile images
Posted by Beth Newton | 07 September 2020| Blog
Social Media’s Cast of Revenue-Generating Characters

Purchases from social channel referrals grew 104% in Q2 of this year, proving that social media has a quantifiable impact on commerce. Social media is no longer a role on the marketing team; it is the marketing team. That is, it's the main medium for building your brand, engaging prospects, communicating with customers, and even selling products...

Fast food burger box "fresh content now with empathy"
Posted by Beth Newton | 05 August 2020| Blog
Content Quick-Serve and the COVID-19 Wake-Up Call

COVID-19 caused thousands of companies to pause their social media engagement and give serious thought to how to behave in the midst of a global crisis. And it got a lot of marketers talking about how to create content that leads with empathy and acknowledges our shared challenges and fears. There was a global call...

y=roi equation on chalkboard
Posted by Beth Newton | 05 July 2020| Blog
When X ≠ ROI, Solve for Y

You’ve probably heard some version of the saying “If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten.” Even when we know things aren’t working, change can be paralyzing. Here are 5 typical marketing tactics that can be difficult to master, and alternatives that can give your brand the boost it needs....

doodles on cardboard
Posted by Beth Newton | 05 June 2020| Blog
5 Creative Uses for Online Reviews

Review sites see a 200% higher conversion rate on average than paid ads. They also play an important role in the buyer’s journey. In fact, online reviews impact purchase decisions for more than 90% of consumers and B2B buyers.  Not only do customer reviews build trust, but they can drive leads and revenue. Remember testimonial...